Use of Microsoft Azure for Monitoring Palestinians

• The Israeli intelligence agency stores millions of phone calls of Palestinians on Microsoft Azure servers.
• The monitoring system is used for planning military operations in Gaza.
• Microsoft denies knowledge of the nature of the data being stored on its servers.

According to a joint investigation conducted by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call, the Israeli military intelligence agency has stored millions of phone call recordings of Palestinians on Microsoft Azure servers. This monitoring system, which has been operational since 2022, was developed by Unit 8200, a secret intelligence unit of the Israeli armed forces.

According to leaked Microsoft documents, a significant portion of the data is stored on servers in the Netherlands and Ireland. The system allows the collection and storage of millions of phone calls from Gaza and the Western Bank.

Officials from Unit 8200 assert that this technology aids in planning military operations, including airstrikes. Microsoft stated that its general director, Satya Nadella, was not aware of the nature of the data being stored. The company claims it conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence that Azure is being used for the harm of people.

The investigation also indicates that Microsoft technologies in Israel are actively integrated into various fields, including military operations. It is known that the monitoring system transitions from targeted monitoring to mass surveillance of the Palestinian population.

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 61,250 Palestinians have been killed, including 18,000 children, the monitoring program continues to operate.

Tags: Middle East/Politics/Technology